Detachable Wellbore Survey Modules Without Tool Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current survey tools for oil and gas wells, such as MWD and GWD, are costly and inefficient for deep well applications due to high retrieval times and complex communication systems, especially for low-demand survey applications where real-time data transfer is unnecessary.
Innovation Solution
A non-retrieval sensing system (NRSS) with detachable modules (DMs) that gather and store data within the wellbore, allowing for automatic data transfer to the surface without the need for tool retrieval, using mechanical or motorized DM release systems to deploy DMs during drilling, reducing operational and well costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If real-time survey tools (MWD, GWD) are used for deep well surveying, then real-time data transfer capability is improved, but system cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the survey tool into a main body and multiple detachable modules (DMs). Each DM contains sensors and storage, allowing data collection without requiring complex real-time communication systems. The DMs are deployed individually into the wellbore environment, separating the data collection function from the main tool body.
Solution Approach 2:
Data storage capacity is pre-loaded into the detachable modules before deployment. This preliminary action allows the system to collect and store high-resolution survey data without requiring real-time data transfer capabilities during the survey operation, thereby reducing communication system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If retrievable survey tools are used for deep well surveying, then survey accuracy is improved, but operational time increases due to retrieval requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable modules are extracted from the main tool body and deployed independently into the wellbore environment. After deployment, the main tool body can be retrieved or left in place while the DMs remain to continue data collection, eliminating the need to retrieve the entire survey tool for data acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable modules are designed as disposable or reusable single-use units that are deployed into the wellbore environment. After completing their data collection function, they remain in place or are recovered separately, while the main expensive tool body is preserved and can be reused for subsequent surveys.
3Adaptability or versatility
If retrievable survey tools are used, then tool functionality is improved, but operational cost increases due to repeated retrieval and deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The system discards the detachable modules in the wellbore environment after deployment, while the main tool body is recovered. This allows the expensive main tool to be reused for subsequent surveys without the need to retrieve and reassemble the entire system, reducing operational time and cost.
4Measurement precision
If high-resolution data storage is implemented, then data quality is improved, but data transfer complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Large data storage capacity is pre-loaded into the detachable modules before deployment. This allows the system to collect and store high-resolution survey data locally without requiring complex real-time data transfer systems during the survey operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable modules act as intermediaries between the sensors and the surface retrieval system. They store data locally in the harsh wellbore environment and facilitate later data retrieval through simpler means such as acoustic communication or physical recovery, avoiding the need for complex real-time data transfer systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes at least one hardware processor interoperably coupled with computer memory and configured to perform operations of one or more components of the computer-implemented system. The system includes a detachable module (DM) delivery system configured to deploy, from release grooves of the NRSS and during a survey of the NRSS inside a wellbore during drilling of a well, plural DMs into an environment surrounding the NRSS, wherein the plural DMs are pre-loaded into the NRSS, and plural DMs are configured to gather and store sensing data from the environment.